We are committed to promoting the mental health, psychosocial well-being, and positive development of young people, with a particular focus on juveniles within Malawi’s juvenile justice and reformatory systems. We recognize that many young people in these settings may have experienced trauma, neglect, abuse, social exclusion, or other challenges that can affect their emotional and psychological well-being. Our Mental Health Program takes a holistic, youth-centered approach to ensuring that every young person has access to support, opportunities for healing, and an environment that promotes rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.

Our work begins with baseline needs assessments to understand the mental health and psychosocial needs of juveniles within juvenile justice settings. We engage juveniles, caregivers, social workers, and correctional staff through interviews, focus group discussions, and other participatory approaches to identify existing challenges and assess the availability and accessibility of mental health services, counselling, educational opportunities, recreational activities, and other forms of psychosocial support within reformatory centres.

Based on identified needs, we provide mental health awareness and psychosocial support sessions designed to help juveniles better understand their emotions, cope with challenges, build resilience, develop healthy relationships, and make positive decisions. We also strengthen the capacity of caregivers, social workers, and facility staff through capacity-building workshops focused on understanding and responding to the mental health and psychosocial needs of young people. To complement counselling and awareness activities, we facilitate recreational and therapeutic activities, including sports, art and creative expression, music, peer support, and other structured activities that encourage self-expression, confidence, social connection, and emotional well-being.

For juveniles who require additional or specialized care, Luminari Care works toward developing and strengthening referral pathways that connect young people with appropriate mental health and psychosocial services. We also engage key stakeholders—including government departments, civil society organizations, NGOs, mental health professionals, and community leaders—through consultative meetings, partnerships, and advocacy initiatives to strengthen the systems supporting young people within and beyond juvenile justice settings.

To promote evidence-based action and sustainable change, we document our findings and experiences and produce and disseminate reports with practical recommendations for strengthening mental health and psychosocial support within Malawi’s juvenile justice system. Through these efforts, Luminari Care seeks to contribute to a system where young people are not only rehabilitated, but are understood, supported, empowered, and given meaningful opportunities to rebuild their lives and positively contribute to their communities.